THE EFFECT OF EXERCISING IN TWO AIR POLLUTION CONDITIONS (PM2.5) TOWARDS AEROBIC ENDURANCE, HEART RATE VARIABILITY, AND BLOOD PRESSURE RESPONSE

• Main Author: Teguh Pambudi, Yudhi
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/56605
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Background: The benefits of exercise can be obtained if it is carried out with the right procedure and avoids the risks. Air pollution is one of the risks in exercising. Urban air pollution, especially industrial cities such as Karawang Regency, West Java is worse and needs to be concerned. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of exercise in an air polluted environment in particular fine particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 ?m (PM2.5) on aerobic endurance, heart rate variability, and blood pressure response. Methods: This study used a two-period cross-over design. The research consisted of two sites in Karawang Regency, West Java i.e., the Singaperbangsa Stadium with high PM2.5 and the Cinta Lake Area, Rengasdengklok with low PM2.5. The research participants were 22 undergraduate students with healthy status. In each study period, the participants did an exercise in the form of a 15-minute run with a submaximal intensity (80-85% HR Max) for 5 consecutive days. Aerobic endurance based on maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) was measured before and after each period. Heart rate variability is taken at rest 10 minutes after the training session. Blood pressure response measurements are taken immediately after the training session. Results: The two research sites had the same climate, but the PM2.5 concentration differed significantly. Exercising regularly at the site with low PM2.5 concentrations had a higher increase in VO2max and was significantly different from exercising at the site with high PM2.5. All variables of heart rate variability are significantly lower when it is in a high PM2.5 condition. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure responses were significantly higher when exercising in the PM2.5 condition, which was higher than when exercising in the low PM2.5 condition. Conclusion: Regular exercise in the environment with high PM2.5 concentrations will obstruct the increase of VO2max. Heart rate variability will be lower when exercising in high PM2.5 conditions. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures increase when exercising with submaximal intensity but exercising in a high PM2.5 condition has a significantly higher impact on increased blood pressure compared to a low PM2.5 condition.